Kennedy named to two House committees

WASHINGTON—Newly sworn-in Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III has snagged a seat on two House committees that fit his interests: Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs.

As a freshman member of the minority party, the 32-year-old Massachusetts Democrat wasn’t able to get assigned to the House Education Committee, where he had hoped to work on legislation related to early childhood education, college affordability, and accessibility, and work force training.

But the former Peace Corps member, who is fluent in Spanish, said is just fine with Foreign Affairs, another committee he sought.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Kennedy, who has taken the seat of retired Representative Barney Frank, indicated in a previous interview that Life Sciences and Technology were vital economic sectors for his constituents in his newly reconfigured district. It stretches from Brookline and Newton down to Fall River.

“I’m honored to be appointed to the House Committee on Science and Technology at a time when energy development, scientific research and new technologies are playing an increasingly essential role in economic growth,” Kennedy said in a statement Friday.

The committee will allow him to advocate for “the investments, policies and practices the Fourth District needs to put people back to work and support a 21st-century economy,” he said, including helping to secure everything from National Science Foundation funding to Small Business Innovation.